Role of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine protein modification in oxidative stress-induced autophagy: a novel target for bone remodeling.

O-linked N-acetylglucosamine protein modification (O-GlcNAcylation) is a dynamic post-translational modification (PTM) involving the covalent binding of serine and/or threonine residues, which regulates bone cell homeostasis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are increased due to oxidative stress in various pathological contexts related to bone remodeling, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and bone fracture. Autophagy serves as a scavenger for ROS within bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. However, oxidative stress-induced autophagy is affected by the metabolic status, leading to unfavorable clinical outcomes. O-GlcNAcylation can regulate the autophagy process both directly and indirectly through oxidative stress-related signaling pathways, ultimately improving bone remodeling. The present interventions for the bone remodeling process often focus on promoting osteogenesis or inhibiting osteoclast absorption, ignoring the effect of PTM on the overall process of bone remodeling. This review explores how O-GlcNAcylation synergizes with autophagy to exert multiple regulatory effects on bone remodeling under oxidative stress stimulation, indicating the application of O-GlcNAcylation as a new molecular target in the field of bone remodeling.

O-GlcNAcylation: roles and potential therapeutic target for bone pathophysiology.

O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) protein modification (O-GlcNAcylation) is a critical post-translational modification (PTM) of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins. O-GlcNAcylation levels are regulated by the activity of two enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O­GlcNAcase (OGA). While OGT attaches O-GlcNAc to proteins, OGA removes O-GlcNAc from proteins. Since its discovery, researchers have demonstrated O-GlcNAcylation on thousands of proteins implicated in numerous different biological processes. Moreover, dysregulation of O-GlcNAcylation has been associated with several pathologies, including cancers, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we focus on progress in our understanding of the role of O-GlcNAcylation in bone pathophysiology, and we discuss the potential molecular mechanisms of O-GlcNAcylation modulation of bone-related diseases. In addition, we explore significant advances in the identification of O-GlcNAcylation-related regulators as potential therapeutic targets, providing novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of bone-related disorders.

Functional significance of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine protein modification in regulating autophagy.

Autophagy is a core molecular pathway that preserves cellular and organismal homeostasis. Being susceptible to nutrient availability and stress, eukaryotic cells recycle or degrade internal components via membrane transport pathways to provide sustainable biological molecules and energy sources. The dysregulation of this highly conserved physiological process has been strongly linked to human disease. Post-translational modification, a mechanism that regulates protein function, plays a crucial role in autophagy regulation. O-linked N-acetylglucosamine protein modification (O-GlcNAcylation), a monosaccharide post-translational modification of intracellular proteins, is essential in nutritional and stress regulatory mechanisms. O-GlcNAcylation has emerged as an essential regulatory mechanism of autophagy. It regulates autophagy throughout its lifetime by targeting the core components of the autophagy regulatory network. This review provides an overview of the O-GlcNAcylation of autophagy-associated proteins and their regulation and function in the autophagy pathway. Therefore, this article may contribute to further understanding of the role of O-GlcNAc-regulated autophagy and provide new perspectives for the treatment of human diseases.

Dynamic real-time forecasting technique for reclaimed water volumes in urban river environmental management.

In recent years, the utilization of wastewater recycling as an alternative water source has gained significant traction in addressing urban water shortages. Accurate prediction of wastewater quantity is paramount for effective urban river water resource management. There is an urgent need to develop advanced forecasting technologies to further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of water quantity predictions. Decomposition ensemble models have shown excellent predictive capabilities but are challenged by boundary effects when decomposing the original data sequence. To address this, a rolling forecast decomposition ensemble scheme was developed. It involves using a machine learning (ML) model for prediction and progressively integrating prediction outcomes into the original sequence using complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN). Long short-term memory (LSTM) is then applied for sub-signal prediction and ensemble. The ML-CEEMDAN-LSTM model was introduced for wastewater quantity prediction, compared with non-decomposed ML models, CEEMDAN-based LSTM models, and ML-CEEMDAN-based LSTM models. Three ML algorithms-linear regression (LR), gradient boosting regression (GBR), and LSTM-were examined, using real-time prediction data and historical monitoring data, with historical data selected using the decision tree method. The study used daily water volumes data from two reclaimed water plants, CH and WQ, in Beijing. The results indicate that (1) ML models varied in their selection of real-time factors, with LR performing best among ML models during testing; (2) the ML-CEEMDAN-LSTM model consistently outperformed ML models; (3) the ML-CEEMDAN-LSTM hybrid model performed better than the CEEMDAN-LSTM model across different seasons. This study offers a reliable and accurate approach for reclaimed water volumes forecasting, critical for effective water environment management.

The clinicopathological significance and prognostic value of PD-L1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the expression of PD-L1 in OSCC and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data and prognosis of 381 OSCC patients. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on OSCC tumor specimens, and the expression level of PD-L1 was evaluated according to the combined positive score (CPS). Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to identify the effect of PD-L1 expression and clinicopathological features on the prognosis of patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were conducted to determine the hazard factors affecting the prognosis of patients. RESULTS: PD-L1 overexpression was significantly associated with cervical lymph node metastasis (p = 0.018), worse clinical stage (p = 0.022), worse tumor differentiation (p = 0.046), and worse depth of invasion (DOI) (p = 0.003). Poorer clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation were significantly associated with poorer OS and DSS in patients. PD-L1 expression was not associated with prognosis in patients with OSCC. CONCLUSIONS: High PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with higher tumor malignancy in OSCC patients. Poorer clinical stage and degree of tumor differentiation were associated with poor prognosis in OSCC patients. Our results may help clinicians develop more appropriate individualized treatment strategies for their patients, thus improving their outcomes.

Evaluating nitrogen dynamic and utilization under controlled-release fertilizer application for sunflowers in an arid region: Experimental and modeling approach.

Traditional nitrogen fertilizers (TNF), such as urea, percolate easily in arid fields, posing low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and a high non-point pollution risk. Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) exhibit significantly lower deep seepage, rendering it a favorable choice in arid fields due to its ability to enhance NUE through slow-release mechanisms. However, current models do not fully account for the soil nitrogen dynamics and crop interactions under controlled-release conditions, and lack quantification. This study improved the APSIM model by adjustment the urea hydrolysis rate to assess the impact of CRF and TNF applications on soil health, crop growth, and water quality. Calibration and validation were conducted through experiments in the Hetao Irrigation District of China from 2019 to 2020, with different nitrogen application rates (135, 225, and 315 kg/ha). The model accurately simulated soil NO3-N concentration (SNC), cumulative NO3-N leaching (CNL), nitrogen uptake (NU), and sunflower yield. During the validation process, R2 and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) values were both above 0.75. Results indicated that the average SNC, NU, and yield under CRF application were significantly higher than those under TNF application, with increases of 38.62%, 44.92%, and 18.38%, respectively. Notably, the proportion of soil nitrogen available (PSNA), a novel metric proposed in this study, was 159.50% higher in the 0-40 cm soil layer with CRF compared to TNF. Additionally, CNL and NO3-N leaching loss rate (NLLR) decreased by 25.76% and 25.77%, respectively. Scenario simulations indicated that the optimal fertilization strategy for this region is to use 180-193.5 kg/ha of CRF with a release period of 80-85.5 d to balance agricultural productivity and ecological protection. This study confirms the significant advantages of CRF in enhancing yield, improving nitrogen management, and promoting environmental sustainability, providing a scientific basis for CRF management strategies and supporting the shift towards more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma resembling infratemporal space infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (PC-ALCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma belonging to the CD30 + T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. The case of PC-ALCL in the temporal region is exceedingly rare. Herein, we report a case of PC-ALCL involving the temporal region mimicking infratemporal space infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old woman presented to maxillofacial surgery service with a 6-month history of swelling and pain in the left side of her face. Laboratory investigations found an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Imaging findings showed enlarged lymph nodes and extensive thickening of subcutaneous tissue of the left temples. Based on these findings, the infratemporal space infection was suspected initially. The patient underwent incision and drainage, and we unexpectedly found no pus in the lesion area. Incisional biopsy showed necrosis and extensive involvement of the left temples by a diffuse infiltrate containing large, atypical cells. The tumor cells were positive for CD30, CD3, Ki67. They were negative for ALK (SP8), CD5, CD8, CD20 and PAX5. After considering these findings, a diagnosis of PC-ALCL was rendered. The patient was admitted to the lymphoma department for systemic chemotherapy and no relapse occurred during a follow-up period of six months. CONCLUSIONS: This report suggests that if there are suspicious intraoperative manifestations, carrying out a biopsy simultaneously, using Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and a comprehensive Immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel are essential to diagnosing PC-ALCL to prevent misdiagnosis.

Deep learning prediction model for central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma based on cytology.

Controversy exists regarding whether patients with low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) should undergo surgery or active surveillance; the inaccuracy of the preoperative clinical lymph node status assessment is one of the primary factors contributing to the controversy. It is imperative to accurately predict the lymph node status of PTMC before surgery. We selected 208 preoperative fine-needle aspiration (FNA) liquid-based preparations of PTMC as our research objects; all of these instances underwent lymph node dissection and, aside from lymph node status, were consistent with low-risk PTMC. We separated them into two groups according to whether the postoperative pathology showed central lymph node metastases. The deep learning model was expected to predict, based on the preoperative thyroid FNA liquid-based preparation, whether PTMC was accompanied by central lymph node metastases. Our deep learning model attained a sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction value (PPV), negative prediction value (NPV), and accuracy of 78.9% (15/19), 73.9% (17/23), 71.4% (15/21), 81.0% (17/21), and 76.2% (32/42), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (value was 0.8503. The predictive performance of the deep learning model was superior to that of the traditional clinical evaluation, and further analysis revealed the cell morphologies that played key roles in model prediction. Our study suggests that the deep learning model based on preoperative thyroid FNA liquid-based preparation is a reliable strategy for predicting central lymph node metastases in thyroid micropapillary carcinoma, and its performance surpasses that of traditional clinical examination.

Natural-human driving factors of groundwater salinization in a long-term irrigation area.

Salinization of groundwater is a major challenge for groundwater management in long-term irrigation areas, decoupling its complex influencing factors can provide insights for the sustainable development of irrigation areas. In this study, the natural-human driving factors of groundwater salinization in the Yinchuan Plain, a typical irrigated area, were identified using isotope analysis, information entropy, and self-organizing map. Results show that groundwater in the study area is seriously salinized with obvious spatial heterogeneity. Multiple natural conditions and frequent human activities complicate the salinization characteristics of groundwater. On this basis, four typical natural influence units of groundwater were identified, namely, an evaporation and upward leakage zone, a runoff zone, an evaporation zone, and a runoff and upward leakage zone. Information entropy was proposed to quantify the complexity of groundwater resulting from human activities: The complexity difference between densely populated areas and natural dominant areas is mainly reflected in Na+, SO42-, and Cl-. Multiple human-made drivers of complex water environment were further separated into three patterns by the SOM model: blockage-evaporation type, leakage-evaporation type, and irrigation type. The blockage of drainage ditches and obstruction of salt discharge has the highest impact on the salinization of groundwater, followed by irrigation activities and transportation losses. Water excessive stagnation caused by blockage or irrigation is the root cause of groundwater salinization in the irrigated area, and its impact is greater than that of the traditional understanding of groundwater level rise. Based on the evaluation of irrigation water quality, management initiatives for irrigated areas should prioritize dredging and maintaining a healthy soil and groundwater environment in tandem.

Prognostic significance of CircRNAs expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

This systematic review was aimed to comprehensively evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic value of dysregulated expression of circRNAs in OSCC. The research was carried out by searching mainstream electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, and Cochrane Library to collect relevant studies on prognostic role of circRNAs in OSCC. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between circRNAs expression, overall survival (OS), disease/recurrence/progression survival (DFS/RFS/PFS), and clinical parameters. This research included 1813 patients from 26 selected articles. The pooled HR values (95% CIs) in OS were 2.38 (1.92-2.93) for oncogenic circRNAs and 0.43 (0.28-0.66) for tumor-suppressor circRNAs, respectively, in DFS/RFS/PFS were 2.34 (1.73-3.17). The meta-analysis on clinicopathology features showed higher level of oncogenic circRNAs is related to advanced TNM stage, tumor stage, worse histological differentiation, positive lymph node and distant metastasis, while enforced expression of tumor-suppressor circRNAs is related to inferior TNM stage, tumor stage and lymphatic metastasis. In conclusion, our meta-analysis implies that circRNAs may be candidate biomarkers for the prognosis and clinicopathology of OSCC.

Proton Storage in Metallic H1.75MoO3 Nanobelts through the Grotthuss Mechanism.

The proton, as the cationic form of the lightest element-H, is regarded as most ideal charge carrier in "rocking chair" batteries. However, current research on proton batteries is still at its infancy, and they usually deliver low capacity and suffer from severe acidic corrosion. Herein, electrochemically activated metallic H1.75MoO3 nanobelts are developed as a stable electrode for proton storage. The electrochemically pre-intercalated protons not only bond directly with the terminal O3 site via strong O-H bonds but also interact with the oxygens within the adjacent layers through hydrogen bonding, forming a hydrogen-bonding network in H1.75MoO3 nanobelts and enabling a diffusion-free Grotthuss mechanism as a result of its ultralow activation energy of ∼0.02 eV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported inorganic electrode exhibiting Grotthuss mechanism-based proton storage. Additionally, the proton intercalation into MoO3 with formation of H1.75MoO3 induces strong Jahn-Teller electron-phonon coupling, rendering a metallic state. As a consequence, the H1.75MoO3 shows an outstanding fast charging performance and maintains a capacity of 111 mAh/g at 2500 C, largely outperforming the state-of-art battery electrodes. More importantly, a symmetric proton ion full cell based on H1.75MoO3 was assembled and delivered an energy density of 14.7 Wh/kg at an ultrahigh power density of 12.7 kW/kg, which outperforms those of fast charging supercapacitors and lead-acid batteries.

Upregulation of mmu_circ_0001066 attenuates the inhibitory effect of bisphosphonates on osteoclastogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is the main adverse side effect of bisphosphonates (BPs), mainly owing to the inhibitory effect of BPs on osteoclastogenesis. CircRNAs were identified to be an important factor in regulating cellular processes. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of mmu_circ_0001066 on BP-inhibited osteoclastogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of MRONJ-related miRNA in RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells treated with BP was analyzed using qRT-PCR analysis. Bioinformatics techniques were applied to screen potential circRNAs. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and bone resorption assays were used to examine the effect of mmu_circ_0001066 on osteoclastogenesis. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter assays, and Western blotting assays were performed to investigate the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: Four MRONJ-related miRNAs were upregulated in BP-treated RAW264.7 cells, and the expression of mmu_circ_0001066 was negatively correlated with those of MRONJ-related miRNAs. Furthermore, the upregulation of mmu_circ_0001066 partially attenuated the inhibitory effect of BP on osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, upregulated miR-16 suppressed osteoclastogenesis and miR-16 inhibitor increased osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, we have identified that miR-16 is a downstream effector of mmu_circ_0001066. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mmu_circ_0001066 played an important role in the BP-mediated suppression of osteoclastogenesis, which lays a foundation for identifying mmu_circ_0001066 as a potential biomarker for MRONJ.

A Cation Concentration Gradient Approach to Tune the Selectivity and Activity of CO2 Electroreduction.

The linear scaling relationship of the binding energies of different intermediates limits the catalyst performance in CO2 electroreduction. Here we demonstrate a cation concentration gradient strategy to promote the activity and tune the selectivity of CO2 electroreduction, thereby breaking the scaling relationship. In optimal concentrations of the potassium acetate (KAc) electrolyte, Cu, Ag and In catalysts deliver current densities that are 7.1, 3.2, 2.7 times higher than those obtained in 0.5 M KAc for C2 H4 , CO, and formate production, respectively. Increasing the concentration of KAc also changes the selectivity from CO to formate on Ag, and from CO to C2 products on Cu. In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and computational simulations reveal that the binding energies of intermediates are changed at different electrolyte concentrations, which is due to a local electrostatic interaction modulated by potassium cations at the electrode surface.

Electronic Regulation of Nickel Single Atoms by Confined Nickel Nanoparticles for Energy-Efficient CO2 Electroreduction.

Modulating the electronic structure of atomically dispersed active sites is promising to boost catalytic activity but is challenging to achieve. Here we show a cooperative Ni single-atom-on-nanoparticle catalyst (NiSA/NP) prepared via direct solid-state pyrolysis, where Ni nanoparticles donate electrons to Ni(i)-N-C sites via a network of carbon nanotubes, achieving a high CO current density of 346 mA cm-2 at -0.5 V vs RHE in an alkaline flow cell. When coupled with a NiFe-based anode in a zero-gap membrane electrolyzer, the catalyst delivers an industrially relevant CO current density of 310 mA cm-2 at a low cell voltage of -2.3 V, corresponding to an overall energy efficiency of 57 %. The superior CO2 electroreduction performance is attributed to the enhanced adsorption of key intermediate COOH* on the electron-rich Ni single atoms, as well as a high density of active sites.

"Water-in-Sugar" Electrolytes Enable Ultrafast and Stable Electrochemical Naked Proton Storage.

Proton is an ideal charge carrier for rechargeable batteries due to its small ionic radius, ultrafast diffusion kinetics and wide availability. However, in commonly used acid electrolytes, the co-interaction of polarized water and proton (namely hydronium) with electrode materials often causes electrode structural distortions. The hydronium adsorption on electrode surfaces also facilitates hydrogen evolution as an unwanted side reaction. Here, a "water-in-sugar" electrolyte with high concentration of glucose dissolved in acid to enable the naked proton intercalation, as well as an extended 3.9 V working potential window, is shown. A glucose-derived organic thin film is formed on electrode surface upon cycling. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the significant decrease of free water in bulk electrolytes, while density functional theory calculations indicate that glucose preferentially binds to the electrode surface which can inhibit water adsorption. The scarcity of free water and the protective organic film work in synergy to suppress water interactions with the electrode surface, which enables the naked proton (de)intercalation. The "water-in-sugar" electrolyte significantly enhances a MoO3 electrode for stable cycling over 100 000 times. This facile electrolyte approach opens new avenues to aqueous electrochemistry and energy storage devices.

Circ-LRP6 mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and autophagy in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Tumor metastasis seriously affects the therapeutic effect and prognosis of cancer patients. Here, we studied the role of has_circ_0000378 (circ-LRP6) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis to explore new ideas and schemes for clinical treatment. METHODS: The expressions of circ-LRP6 in OSCC and normal tissues from matched controls were measured by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factors, P62 and LC3B, were determined by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence (IF) assay. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of circ-LRP6 downregulation on migration, invasion, and autophagy using CCK8, transwell assays, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunofluorescence (IF) assay. RESULTS: The expression of circ-LRP6 in OSCC tissues was high. Downregulation of circ-LRP6 reduced the EMT process of SCC-15 cells, as evidenced by increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin and Zeb1 levels. Downregulation of circ-LRP6 also decreased autophagy as shown by increased levels of P62 and decreased LC3B in SCC-15 cells. Autophagy revulsant rapamycin (RAPA) rescued the inhibitory effect of circ-LRP6 on LC3B, vimentin, and Zeb1. CONCLUSIONS: circ-LRP6 promoted EMT and autophagy of OSCC and increased autophagy could rescue EMT in OSCC cells inhibited by circ-LRP6 siRNA.

A robust, freeze-resistant and highly ion conductive ionogel electrolyte towards lithium metal batteries workable at -30 °C.

The wide applications of lithium metal batteries have encountered a severe conductivity issue when operating in cold weather. Here we report a freeze-resistant lithium metal battery, which displays outstanding rate performance, negligible polarization deterioration, and a good capacity retention of 94.25% after 700-cycles of use at -30 °C, the lowest temperature ever reported for gel electrolyte-based lithium metal batteries. Remarkably, the lithium metal batteries are even workable at temperatures down to -60 °C. The key point of the innovative design is the utilization of a newly created anti-freezing ionogel as an electrolyte, which is produced by gelation of an electrochemically inert ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoro-borate ([BMIM]BF4), via dynamic condensation of a specially designed benzaldehyde-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG-CHOs) with the tetra-hydrazide derivative of p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene (CTH). The as-prepared ionogel electrolyte demonstrates a high ionic conductivity (0.43 mS cm-1), a broad stability window (2.4-4.3 V vs. Li+/Li), and high flexibility at -30 °C. The outstanding property of the ionogel electrolyte is ascribed to its unique gel network structure as it enables enrichment of Li+ and enhances its efficient transportation. Further tests demonstrate that the ionogel electrolyte could be also used for the assembly of flexible lithium metal batteries.

CiRS-7 functions as a ceRNA of RAF-1/PIK3CD to promote metastatic progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma via MAPK/AKT signaling pathways.

PURPOSE: Recent findings have shown that circRNA dysregulation was involved in the development of many types of cancer. However, our knowledge of circRNA in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains elusive. METHODS: Here, we explored whether ciRS-7 could function as a ceRNA in promoting metastasis of OSCC via regulating miR-7 activity. The expression levels of ciRS-7 and miR-7 were examined in clinical samples and cell lines by qRT-PCR, and the effects of ectopic expression of ciRS-7 and miR-7 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The effects of ciRS-7 on miR-7 activity were investigated by means of luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot. In addition, the effects of miR-7 mediated ciRS-7 on the levels of MAPK/AKT signaling proteins were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: We found that ciRS-7 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and cell lines compared with normal counterparts. Ectopic expression of ciRS-7 significantly promoted OSCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion through in vitro and in vivo. Based on bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, Western blot and luciferase reporter assays, we determined that ciRS-7 functioned as a sponge for miR-7, resulting in attenuation of miR-7 targets RAF-1 and PIK3CD, which are core components of the MAPK/AKT signaling pathways. Moreover, miR-7 correlated with perineural and lymphovascular invasion in OSCC patients. Further experiments demonstrated that ciRS-7 overexpression could attenuate the anti-tumor effects of miR-7 on OSCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that ciRS-7 can interact directly with miR-7, resulting in upregulation of RAF-1/PIK3CD expression and enhancing metastatic progression of OSCC.

Sulfur-Dopant-Promoted Electroreduction of CO2 over Coordinatively Unsaturated Ni-N2 Moieties.

Atomically dispersed nickel-nitrogen-carbon (Ni-N-C) moieties are promising for efficient electrochemical CO2 -to-CO conversion. To improve the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity, it is essential but challenging to steer the coordination environment of Ni centers for promoting the CO formation kinetics. Here, we introduce alien sulfur atoms to tune the local electronic density of unsaturated NiN2 species. A coordinated structure evolution is detected and S vacancies are generated at high overpotentials, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The sulfur dopants enhance CO selectivity and activity over normal unsaturated NiN2 structure, reaching a high CO Faradaic efficiency of 97 % and a large CO current density of 40.3 mA cm-2 in a H-cell at -0.8 V and -0.9 V (vs. RHE), respectively. DFT calculations reveal both doped S atoms and evolved S vacancies in the NiN2 coordination environment contribute to the reduced energy barriers for CO2 electroreduction to CO.

Shock Exfoliation of Graphene Fluoride in Microwave.

An unprecedented microwave-based strategy is developed to facilitate solid-phase, instantaneous delamination and decomposition of graphite fluoride (GF) into few-layer, partially fluorinated graphene. The shock reaction occurs (and completes in few seconds) under microwave irradiation upon exposing GF to either "microwave-induced plasma" generated in vacuum or "catalyst effect" caused by intense sparking of graphite at ambient conditions. A detailed analysis of the structural and compositional transformations in these processes indicates that the GF experiences considerable exfoliation and defluorination, during which sp2 -bonded carbon is partially recovered despite significant structural defects being introduced. The exfoliated fluorinated graphene shows excellent electrochemical performance as anode materials in potassium ion batteries and as catalysts for the conversion of O2 to H2 O2 . This simple and scalable method requires minimal energy input and does not involve the use of other chemicals, which is attractive for extensive research in fluorine-containing graphene and its derivatives in laboratories and industrial applications.